By Umar Usman Duguri
Politics is meant to be a contest of ideas, policies, and leadership. In a healthy democracy, political competition revolves around how best to improve the lives of citizens through sound governance and accountable leadership.
However, in Nigeria, politics has increasingly become politicized in a manner that prioritizes personal interests, ethnic loyalties, religious sentiments, propaganda, and endless political rivalry over national development.
The politicization of politics occurs when every issue—whether economic, security-related, judicial, educational, or humanitarian—is viewed solely through a partisan lens. Rather than evaluating decisions based on merit, many political actors and their supporters judge issues according to which political party, ethnic group, or influential figure is involved. This trend has become one of the greatest obstacles to Nigeria’s democratic and socio-economic progress.
Politics Without Governance
An examination of political activities across Nigeria reveals that electioneering often begins immediately after the conclusion of previous elections. Rather than concentrating on implementing campaign promises, political office holders devote substantial time to political calculations, alliance-building, defections, and preparations for the next electoral contest.
This perpetual campaign mode weakens governance. Public policies become instruments for political advantage instead of tools for national development. Infrastructure projects, social interventions, and appointments may be influenced more by political calculations than by genuine public needs.
Ethnic and Religious Polarization
Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of politicizing politics is the deepening of ethnic and religious divisions. Politicians frequently exploit existing social differences to mobilize support, portraying elections as contests between regions, tribes, or faiths instead of competitions among competent leaders.
Such narratives undermine national unity and create suspicion among communities. Citizens often defend politicians from their ethnic or religious backgrounds regardless of their performance, making accountability increasingly difficult.
Weakening Democratic Accountability
In mature democracies, citizens reward good governance and reject poor leadership. In Nigeria, however, political loyalty sometimes overshadows objective assessment of performance.
Supporters may excuse corruption, abuse of office, or policy failures simply because the accused belongs to their preferred political camp. Likewise, commendable policies introduced by political opponents may be rejected for purely partisan reasons.
This culture weakens democratic accountability because elected officials become more concerned with satisfying political supporters than delivering measurable development.
Misinformation and Political Propaganda
The rise of social media has amplified political misinformation. Fabricated stories, manipulated videos, and coordinated propaganda campaigns often dominate public discourse during political seasons.
Instead of encouraging informed debate, misinformation fuels anger, confusion, and hostility. Many citizens unknowingly become participants in spreading false narratives, further polarizing society.
An informed electorate cannot thrive where propaganda consistently replaces verified facts.
Corruption Flourishes
When politics becomes excessively politicized, corruption investigations themselves become political weapons.
Supporters often dismiss legitimate anti-corruption efforts as political persecution, while opponents celebrate investigations regardless of the available evidence. This selective outrage undermines public confidence in anti-corruption institutions and weakens the rule of law.
Corruption thrives where accountability is determined by political affiliation rather than legal standards.
Economic Consequences
Political instability discourages both local and foreign investment. Investors seek stable environments where government policies remain predictable.
When politics dominates every aspect of governance, policy inconsistency increases. Development projects may be abandoned following changes in administration simply because they are associated with political opponents.
This wastes public resources, slows economic growth, increases unemployment, and discourages long-term national planning.
The Decline of Public Trust
As political conflicts intensify, public confidence in democratic institutions gradually declines. Citizens begin to lose faith in elections, the legislature, the judiciary, and even security agencies if these institutions are perceived as serving partisan interests rather than the nation.
A democracy cannot flourish without public trust.
Youth Manipulation
Young people often become the greatest victims of politicized politics. Instead of being empowered through education, innovation, and employment, some are recruited as political thugs, online propagandists, or instruments of electoral violence.
This not only endangers lives but also deprives the country of productive human capital.
The Way Forward
Nigeria’s democracy requires a return to issue-based politics. Political parties should compete on policy alternatives rather than ethnic identity or personality cults. Citizens must evaluate leaders based on competence, integrity, transparency, and measurable performance.
The media also has a critical responsibility to verify information, expose misinformation, and provide balanced reporting. Civil society organizations should continue educating citizens on democratic values and responsible political participation.
Educational institutions should strengthen civic education to produce informed voters who understand that loyalty belongs first to the nation, not to political parties or personalities.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s greatest political challenge is no longer simply conducting elections but ensuring that politics serves governance rather than undermining it. Democracy succeeds when citizens prioritize national interest over partisan emotions and when leaders compete through ideas instead of division.
Politicizing politics has weakened institutions, fueled corruption, deepened social divisions, and slowed national development. Reversing this trend requires responsible leadership, an informed electorate, independent institutions, and a shared commitment to placing Nigeria above politics.
Only then can politics become what it was always intended to be: a vehicle for progress, justice, accountability, and sustainable national development.
